Abstract
A contemporary approach to bacterially mediated zinc (Zn) biofortification offers a new dimension in the crop improvement program with better Zn uptake in plants to curb Zn malnutrition. The implication of Zn solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) represents an inexpensive and optional strategy for Zn biofortification, with an ultimate green solution to enlivening sustainable agriculture. ZSB dwelling in the rhizospheric hub or internal plant tissues shows their competence to solubilize Zn via a variety of strategies. The admirable method is the deposition of organic acids (OAs), which acidify the surrounding soil environment. The secretion of siderophores as a metal chelating molecule, chelating ligands, and the manifestation of an oxidative–reductive system on the bacterial cell membrane are further tactics of bacterially mediated Zn solubilization. The inoculation of plants with ZSB is probably a more effective tactic for enhanced Zn translocation in various comestible plant parts. ZSB with plant growth-enhancing properties can be used as bioelicitors for sustainable plant growth via the different approaches that are crucial for plant health and its productivity. This article provides an overview of the functional properties of ZSB-mediated Zn localization in the edible portions of food crops and provides an impetus to explore such plant probiotics as natural biofortification agents.
Highlights
Zinc-solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) have been updated with the addition of a biofortification approach called microbial-assisted crop biofortification
Mechanism adapted by zinc-solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) for the growth of plants is similar as of ordinary plant growthelevating bacteria either studied from the rhizosphere or inner tissues of plants
There is still huge vague in our understanding of the interaction of bacteria with the host plant residing in the rhizospheric zone or as part of phytomicrobiont turning the inexplicable Zn into soluble Zn form, and as a channel, these ZSB facilitate increased Zn content in different plant parts
Summary
Zinc-solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) have been updated with the addition of a biofortification approach called microbial-assisted crop biofortification. ZSB increased the considerable Zn content in plants such as wheat [11], rice [60, 61], and maize [58] and showed prolific effects on plant growth.
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